Welcome to the Road 2 Recovery daily ride blog. Special thanks to Major Jason Bryan, USA today’s Sal Ruibal, and Lindsey Hagan for their contributions.
Day 6 Con’t
"This
trip is not so much about having fun as it is about transforming your new
body with something you can work with the rest of your life,
" - Capt. Ferris Butler
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gfpaoGlot8
http://www.beloblog.com/WCNC_Blogs/blogger/2008/05/greg-bailey-kin.html
Before After....new
leaner, more mobile, and confident Capt. Butler
Sunday’s ride from Asheboro to Charlotte
was the perfect capstone event for our seasoned team. We had to get to
Lowe’s Motor Speedway before 1200, and failure was not an option. Our
Director Sportif (John Wordin) and team leader (Wayne Stetina) calculated that
we needed to sustain a rate of 15.5 mph (including rest stops) to reach the
objective. Accomplishing the task took a total team effort.
Everyone started the ride and we seamlessly transitioned riders from the road
to the van, swapped flatted wheels, and provided the occasional push necessary
to help the newer riders keep pace over the continuously rolling hills. The
team time trial to Charlotte reflected just how efficient we had become.
I have already remarked about Sergeant Audry
Webb’s progression through the week, but the most improved rider award has to
go to Staff Sergeant Kai Cavalie. Kai is an Army Reservist whose injuries
in Iraq have not dampened her spirits. Despite missing a hamstring in one
of her legs, she went the distance on Sunday. Kai had participated in
spinning, but never cycled before this week. She started the ride wobbly
and timid, toppling over in her pedals on more than one occasion (a
slow-motioned event that borders on comical), but she never quit. On
Sunday, I watched her slip into a single file pace line and confidently sit on
a wheel at 20+ mph for several minutes. You’ve come a long way, baby.
A cycling contingent from Fort Bragg joined us
in Asheboro and we welcomed their addition to the team. Lieutenant
Colonel Patty Collins was an avid cyclist before losing her leg below the knee
and she joined right in to our peloton. Her cheerful personality
was overwhelming. She told me that her life was actually better after the
accident than before. “I appreciate every moment now,” she said with a
grin. George lost his sight when a battery exploded in his face in Iraq;
he rode a tandem with the help of Bob. But George wasn’t just out for a
stroll. The tandem hammered so far ahead that I barely got to say
hello. Captain Kent Solheim was another remarkable addition from the
Bragg group. He rode as strongly as anyone, despite having a paralyzed
calf, he stuck with the group and finished in Charlotte at the front of the
pack. My only regret is that the Fort Bragg group did not join us for
more of the ride so I could get to know them better.
Justin Clark lost more
than 10 pounds and some of his stutter, here with Olympian Wayne Stetina
The inaugural Road 2 Recovery East Coast Ride
culminated with a victory lap around the track at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, as
thousands of fans filed in for the Coca Cola 600. The crowd cheered and
waved, but my focus was on the team; their faces radiated with
accomplishment. Justin led the charge on his trike, waving and ringing
his bell, just as he’d done for the supportive people we’d passed along the
way. Kai continued to bark warnings of upcoming obstacles, just as she’d
done for every mile along the route (even when there was no one behind
her). Then, we pedaled down pit row and filed into the victory circle for
photos.
In an instant, it was over. We exchanged
contact information and congratulatory hugs, and then the team divided and
parted ways. There were no goodbyes. Because in the Army we don’t
say “goodbye,” only “until we meet again.”
The R2R West Coast ride begins Sept. 28 at the
San Francisco VA so you can sign up now at road2recovery.us.com
Presenting a jersey to
Humpy Wheeler
Therefore, I’d like to conclude with a message
to the Road 2 Recovery riders, staff, and supporters. Happy trails, my
friends… I pray that each of you gets a tailwind on your road to
recovery.
DAY 6
Ride
Finishes at the Coca-Cola 600
Day
6 Asheboro to Lowes Motor Speedway
Today's
final ride into Lowes Motor Speedway saw the group expand as several riders
from North Carolina including a large contingent from Ft. Bragg and the North
Carolina TT club joined in to add some fresh legs and horsepower to the group.
Silver
Star recipient Kent Soldheim
It
was an incredible ride today through the North Carolina countryside. We had a
police escort for part of the way and backed up the race traffic behind the caravan
of vehicles.
LTC
Patty Collins had hoped to join the entire ride
With
a nice sized group of riders, we had the fastest average speed of the tour.
Again the injured troops eagerness to ride the whole distance was motivating to
many of the new riders that joined us. We had 2 tandems including one with an
injured blind cyclist from Iraq who was very new to cycling.
At
Lowes with NASCAR Driver and Cyclist Bobby Labonte
We
had a lot of people along the side of the road cheering us on and waving American
Flags and taking pictures of the spectacle.
Once
we got to the track, NASCAR driver and fellow cyclist Bobby Labonte came over
to visit with the riders. He and Wayne hit it off talking techno speak about
their bikes and how to go faster. There were several others who came to visit
including Congressman Mike McIntyre, US Army Secretary Ford, and track
president Humpy Wheeler.
Last
Lap
The
Road 2 Recovery had a very exciting results on each of the participants. All of
them surpassed the goals they had set for themselves. Most of them lost a lot
of weight, Justin had noticeably reduced his stuttering from his brain injury.
Mike had lost so much weight that his prosthetic leg became loose. The most
notable comment from several of the injured soldier was that this was
definitely not the same old trip or outing that usually comes their way.
Victory
Lane
This
was an opportunity to show them how to live a better quality of life and what
the possibilities for a higher quality of life are. It gave them a way to make
the best use of their situation. It gave them a road to happier life....a truly
life changing experience.....
Ferris
with Track President Humpy Wheeler
Congressman
Mike McIntyre and U.S. Army Under Secretary Ford with Justin Clark
DAY 5
Day
5 - Raleigh to Asheboro
Leaving
Raleigh....
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_9365267
Before
we finish tomorrow in Charlotte, I have to take a moment to shine the light on
our support crew. There is so much more to making this ride happen than
stepping into the pedals every morning. In addition to our mechanic, Jim
O’Brien (who has our bikes tuned to perfection), there is Air Force Reserve
Senior Airman Diane Lopes, Sergeant First Class Larry Jester from the Louisiana
National Guard, and Mike’s wife, Kim McNaughton. These guys not
only make it happen, but they bend over backwards to make life easier for us
all. I tip my hat to their selfless service and determination to
lend a hand.
Diane
was injured in Iraq when an incoming rocket landed next to her. An
unexpected knee procedure prevented her from riding with us, but she found a
role to play and is very much a part of the team. Diane is the team mom,
which means she looks after our every need. Right now, she is driving
John around to check the course markings for tomorrow’s ride.
Larry flew in with Mike and Kim McNaughton. In the Army, we’d call him
the advanced party. He drives the 20’ Penske truck to the destination
city each day and checks us into the hotel. Our bags are already in the
room when we pull into the parking lot on our bikes. He gives our team
diva special treatment. Today, Mike Vogel’s bed was covered with rose
petals and mints on his pillow.
Kim McNaughton is a testament for the spirit of the Army wife. If
military life can challenge the strongest marriages, having your husband
disfigured by a land mine can certainly complicate a relationship. Mike calls
Kim his “rock,” and the person who “keeps him grounded.” While these are
often merely clichés, I think Mike has it right. Kim McNaughton has an
impressive balance of grit and humor that makes her one tough cookie.
Mike gets no special treatment from Kim, nor does he want it. Yet, when
he needs a hand, she is there for him. What I find striking is the fact
that, no matter how much I might want to, I would never show sympathy.
There is no groveling for the McNaughton family.
Personal
Record 50 Miles....
Some
of the guys from Raleigh’s All-Star Cycling Team joined us this morning.
Their escort out of town was better than a police motorcade and all the guys
appreciated them coming out to show their support.
This morning in the parking lot, the All-Star squad was talking with one of our
wounded warriors, Specialist Marc Molina. Marc is a paratrooper-- on his
first bicycle ride ever-- with a quick wit. Diane walked around passing
out last minute packets of Chamois Butter (Chamois Butter is a lotion used to
help prevent saddle soreness). Mark said to the team, “When we
started the ride, I thought that stuff was shampoo… but it did help me go
faster.”
Our amputees both had stellar days on the bike. Ferris used medical tape
to secure his partial foot to his shoe and rode 50 miles today.
Mike rode the full 70 mile stage, although his day was a bit more
eventful. Before we got out of the parking lot, he got his prosthetic
foot stuck in his pedal and toppled over. He’s lost so much weight
that he can’t keep a vacuum lock on his prosthetic. Later in the day, he
toppled over again at a stoplight. Shortly after, he flatted and had to
hustle to catch the pack. Nevertheless, he finished the ride.
We cleaned up after the ride and loaded a bus, bound for Lowe’s Motor Speedway
to have dinner with the VFW. This foreshadowed tomorrow’s monumental ride
around the track before the Coca Cola 600. We gorged ourselves on
barbecue chicken and ribs and then returned through a frenzy of NASCAR fans,
ready to finish our journey.
VFW
Dinner
DAY 4
Emporia to
Raleigh – 105 miles
Day
4 Emporia to Raleigh
"It
is a beautiful day and no one is even shooting at us" - OIF Vet
Day
4 brought the road 2 recovery group into North Carolina and that much closer to
the goal of Lowes Motor Speedway. The next 2 days are going to be very exciting
for the group. We are seeing more riders along the route and residents coming
out to see us, even waving American Flags and cheering us along.
In
all my years of cycling, I have never seen so many motorist be so courteous to
riders on the road. It is not uncommon for total strangers to drive behind us
with their emergency flashers going... You never see that....
Welcome
to Possum Track....
104
miles and we’re in Raleigh, all present and accounted for. What do you
eat after a 104 mile day on a bicycle? Anything you want. You don’t
count carbs or fat grams; you eat until whatever you have is gone.
Tonight we did just that. Thanks to Harold and Harold and Linda
Bonin of AMVETS, who took us out for our post-ride dinner.
Justin rode 40 miles today. Ken and I followed on his left and right
oblique, like a security detachment. Uncle Jim and Mike McNaughton’s
wife, Kim, were right behind us in the van. Because today’s ride
was (mostly) flat, open country roads, this was the safest ride
environment possible. So, we relaxed and enjoyed the ride.
Mike
and Ferris
Justin is settling in on the bike and insists on using group riding protocol--
pointing out holes, signaling turns, and waving traffic through.
Ken and I were chatting when Justin distinctively signaled the next right hand
turn. He pointed for several seconds and then proceeded right past the
turn. I chased him down and got him back on track. I said, “Dude,
you signaled but then didn’t turn.”
“That’s TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) for ya,” he replied with a grin.
Wayne
Stetina always tinkering with the bikes
I’ve heard that the pros don’t get to enjoy the scenery while hammering around
the Alps, Pyrenees, or Pacific Coast. Not so with Justin-- he is out to
enjoy the ride. He’ll point out puppies for sale and jet skis parked in
the yard, even when he’s careening down a hill at 25 miles per hour. My
challenge is forcing him to keep his hands on the steering handles and his eyes
on the road. The bottom line is he’s having a ball, although sometimes
it’s not so fun for me.
Leaving
Virginia
Justin called it a day after almost four hours in the saddle. Once he was
in the van, Ken and I hammered to close the gap. We covered 25 miles in
just over an hour. I sat on Ken’s wheel and never pulled a turn. I
tried to lead out, but couldn’t keep the pace, an indication of what a cycling
machine he is. I did get the privilege of reeling him in after he missed
a turn about mile 98, but the only reason I still had legs is because I got to
rest while he did all the work to get us back with the group.
I caught up with Sergeant First Class Keith Pace about mile 90. SFC Pace
is a stud with various combat related injuries. He is not a cyclist;
he’s just a hard-headed warrior that won’t give up. He was so saddle sore
yesterday that he said he wasn’t going to ride (an unconditioned rear end is
not accustomed to 6+ hours a day in the saddle). Yet, he showed up in
uniform for the start and completed the 80 mile ride. Today was no
exception. He was completely spent with 15 miles to go, but the first
thing he asked was the status of his “battle buddy,” Ferris Butler.
I wanted to push on to the finish, but SFC Pace wanted to pull over and finish
the day with his battle buddy. When Ferris passed, Keith couldn’t respond
and watched him fade into the distance. So, like any friend would treat
their green beret brother, I mocked him until he finished. I got a “fist
bump” of gratitude after the ride, which was better than the alternative—a
punch in the throat.
Fine
NC Roads
Tomorrow is
another busy day, but busy is good. We start at 8:00 am in order to cover
the 80 miles to Asheboro before we load up onto a bus and head to Charlotte for
dinner with the VFW at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. I’ll keep an eye out
for things to talk about, although hopefully the message is clear: this
is a ride you want to be a part of…
DAY 3
Day
3 Richmond to Emporia---The Road Less Traveled
Video
Link:http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=6142819
Mike McNaughton and Ferris Butler head down the
Road
Today's
ride through central Virginia featured the rural countryside that any cyclist
would enjoy. The Road 2 Recovery Warriors took off from Richmond heading to
Emporia near the North Carolina border.
Population
32....
We're
in Emporia and after 80 miles, it is official. For the rest of my life, I
will be able to say that 11-time National Champion Wayne Stetina was once my
roommate. I'm a bit intimidated, I don't want to be Chatty Kathy,
but how can I not take advantage of the opportunity to pick his brain? I
am sure he will hate my incessant chatter... "Hey Wayne... are you
asleep? Do you think they should ban race radio? Who would win in
their prime-- Merckx or Armstrong?"
James
River in Richmond
The truth is, I will likely fall asleep before my head hits the pillow.
Not only are the miles starting to take their toll, but organizing thoughts for
public consumption is no easy task. Riding long distances over multiple
days is tough-- I have new respect for the professional cycling grind.
Little things become a big deal... do I have clean socks for tomorrow?
Where is my iPod charger?
Today's ride was beautiful. The weather was perfect and the country roads
provided the ideal ride environment. The team is beginning to bond, like
Soldiers always do in the face of adversity. Any room we fill booms with
laughter. Everyone is suffering from nagging discomforts like saddle
soreness, but spirits are high.
Sgt.
Webb
SGT Audry Webb is the featured stud-ette of the day. She tagged along as
the medic from Walter Reed, but decided to join us for the ride. She
showed up at Walter Reed with her rental mountain bike and hammered 75
miles. Yesterday she transitioned to a road bike and pedaled another 75
miles. Today, thanks to Wayne, she's in cycling shoes and pedals and
hammered the entire 80 miles to Emporia. Despite toppling over into
everyone's parked bikes at the rest stop, she gets stronger with every mile and
is really finding the groove. She quickly pointed out that this ride
isn't about her-- it's about our wounded warriors. She's wrong.
Yesterday at the Richmond VA Hospital, I saw a glimpse of what the medical
support staff experiences. SGT Webb left dinner tonight to message
an amputated leg. Our health care professionals are heroes, too.
Adapting
the bikes for the Wounded Warriors
Mike Vogel gave us the the inside scoop on Hollywood during a rest stop.
We continued the conversation on the road for another hour. He told me
about the Hollywood culture and I gave him my two-cents on how the Army culture
gets a bad rap.
I'll conclude the day by saying that cyclists of every skill level should join
this ride. Watching these heroes fight through their handicaps to ride is
more inspiring than I can describe. Then, hanging out with them after a
long day in the saddle is refreshing and filled with laughs. The celebrity
factor is very cool, too. Mike Vogel and Wayne Stetina are passionate in
their support of our wounded riders, especially on the road, but they are also
very personable. Wayne spouts a cycling nugget every minute-- I find
myself eavesdropping for more (I learned some great advice about finding the
drafting "sweet spot" as he pulled SGT Webb back to the group after
being held up by a traffic light). I think I'll go bug him right
now. He is, after all, my roommate.
Thanks for reading and tune in tomorrow for an update on our century ride to
Raleigh.
More
Road 2 Recovery Press
http://wtop.com/?nid=596&sid=1407305
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=259x15087
http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/05/21/9321-wounded-warriors-on-road-2-recovery/
http://www.newstin.co.uk/sim/uk/58295277/en-010-002640141
http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65978
DAY 2
Day
2 Fredericksburg to Richmond
Also
read the USA Today Blog:
More
Info: Road2Recovery.us.com
Day two is complete, another
peaceful, 75 mile day on the bike. We
left Fredericksburg and continued south to Richmond… and I passed out beside a
movie star on the floor of a Marine injured in Iraq at the Richmond VA
Hospital…
Getting
ready to head out.....
The weather was far more pleasant
this morning. It was still breezy and
cool, but the sun was out, so we reached for our arm warmers and
sunscreen. Our mechanic, Uncle Jim, set
up shop in the hotel parking lot, making various bike adjustments to help
reduce our aches and pains. He says
that being a bike mechanic at the highest level of professional cycling has
given him the opportunity to see parking lots around the world. From the parking lot shop, he swapped a seat
post (to the exact height of the previous seat), tuned a rear derailleur, and
moved the cleat on my shoe back three millimeters to reduce the pressure on the
ball of my foot. Having him around is
spoiling us all.
Mike
McNaughton fixing his Rudy's
Justin Clark joined us about 30
miles into the ride on his recumbent trike.
He wisely waited for the rural Virginia roads instead of braving the
hills and traffic of Fredericksburg. I
rode with Justin for a couple of hours, talking about the Army and Iraq—the
typical name-game of units and places and people. We’ve been to many of the same places and supported similar
units, although the Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) Justin experienced were far
more austere. He told me the doctors
won’t authorize him to drive because he can’t focus for long periods of time,
but the bike seemed to hold his attention.
He struggled on the hills, but Wayne Stetina was there with a push to
help him to the top. I noticed that his
stutter faded while riding and talking Army.
Today, after two-plus hours in the saddle, Justin called it a day-- almost
tripling yesterday’s ten mile ride distance.
Justin Clark
leading the group
I also got to tag along with
Ferris Butler for a few miles. This guy
is terrific. He has a great sense of
humor and an attitude that won’t quit.
He told me that his prosthetic leg is not the issue, that it is his
“good” leg that causes his discomfort.
He said the plan is to amputate a portion of his right leg to alleviate
the pain, and then he beamed as he talked about his girlfriend.
Heading
Down the Road
I was puzzled at first when I
passed a bike riding stranger in the Road 2 Recovery team kit. It was Mike Vogel, who flew in from shooting
a movie and joined us toward then end of the ride. I told him we had his M&Ms separated by color and the
sparkling water at the temperature he requested. The truth is he was picked up at the airport in the Penske 20’
moving van used to haul gear, food, and drinks. I told him we didn’t know how many bags he’d have with him, so we
brought the big truck. We joked for a
minute and then hammered the final eight miles home at about 20 mph.
I had just started my shower when
John asked me to join Mike and Mike (Vogel and McNaughton) at the Richmond VA
Hospital. I threw on some clothes and
headed to the VA.
At the hospital, we got a tour
from a physician at the hospital who took us around the Polytraumatic
Unit. We met a number of the patients,
with various injuries. The last patient
of the day was a Marine who had been injured in Iraq only a few weeks ago. In the grand scheme, his injuries weren’t
that severe. He had lost a finger and
still had powder burns across his face and arms. As Mike McNaughton showed him the missing fingers on his hand, I
started to feel the blood rushing from my face. I watched the sweat bead up on my hands, so I took a seat. Mike’s tone was so reassuring it staggered
me, he has a real gift for bedside manner.
As Mike comforted the Marine and I
fought to catch my breath, I realized that Road 2 Recovery is not a magic wand
that makes the world right again. We
bid farewell and walked to the door. I
wilted. It wasn’t the miles,
dehydration, or nourishment. It was
realizing that someday this kid may find solace on a bike ride through the
hills of Virginia, but today is filled with pain.
Now, I’m the one who needs a bike
ride… and I’ll get it…80 miles from Richmond to Emporia. Thanks for reading and thanks for your
support.
FROM
USA TODAY
DAY 1
The
Road 2 Recovery Cycling ride got underway today from Walter Reed Hospital in
Washington DC. Laura Balun from the VA, Allison Barber, Under Secretary of
Defense, and Colonel Horoho, Commander of Walter Reed were on hand to send off
the riders.
Rider’s get the Green Flag
Senator
John Kerry sent a prepared statement.
"We owe our service men and women more than words of
gratitude," Kerry said. "We need to support recovery efforts upon
their return in every possible way. I am honored to support the Road 2 Recovery
Program, and applaud all those committed to the rehabilitation of our injured
veterans, while we continue to push Washington to back up words with
action."
Morning
rain stopped just as the riders took off and the sun, and a tail wind came soon
after. Below are some links to some of the articles about the event.
Each
day during the ride, Major Jason Bryan will be providing a first hand
experience of the ride. We hope you enjoy the journey.....
For
more info, please go to Road 2 Recovery.us.com
Day
one is in the books and I’m exhausted after 75 miles of cycling from
I
guess I should begin by sharing why Road 2 Recovery is so important to me. Sacrifice is an understood fact when you
join the military. An active duty or
reserve commitment means sacrifice for the service member and the family. Sacrifice is just something military people
do. The trouble is… none of us know the
depth of the sacrifice when we join. We
have all sacrificed something; however, some of our wounds are more evident
than others. I believe sharing the
cycling experience is the perfect medium to restore a sense of normalcy to our
wounded warriors… especially those whose lives have not only been interrupted,
but changed forever.
Capt.
Ferris Butler
So,
back to the journal. Since my arrival
on Saturday afternoon, getting ready for the ride has been hectic. John Wordin’s phone rang constantly, with
one setback after another. John had an
answer for everything—and impressively shrugged off what he couldn’t fix. He has done a terrific job organizing Road 2
Recovery and coordinating this event.
On Sunday, we went for a quick paced 60-mile ride in the rain to recon
the route to
After
several days of run-around, we were anxious to get the ride started and get out
of DC. We got up this morning to a
steady rain and hustled to Walter Reed, where teams of press and Department of
Defense officials waited to greet the team.
The lobby of the Mologne House was a frenzy of cameras and media
interviews while we cautiously watched the drizzle through the windows. Somewhere between Chaplain’s invocation
prayer and the ceremonial speeches, the rains lifted and we set off for a three
lap photo op around the traffic circle and headed out the gate to
The
rest of the day was chilly, perhaps even cold for some, with a sometimes stiff
headwind. Luckily the rains lifted
early enough to keep the roads dry.
Everybody rode to their own personal ability level and wisely boarded
the van when they reached their limit.
The most remarkable thing was, in spite of weather, hills, headwind,
traffic, and prosthetic challenges, I never heard anyone complain. That’s the warrior spirit that makes me
proud to be associated with Road 2 Recovery.
I’d
like to add one concluding observation.
The medical and support staff who work daily with our wounded warriors
are simply amazing. For example, Ken
Fagut works for a company called Alternative Vehicles, which manufactures
bicycles for the specific needs of handicapped individuals. Yesterday, he told me that his objective is
to get anyone cycling who wants to ride, regardless of their injury. On the way to dinner last night, Ken
discussed prosthetic engineering for cyclists with Mike McNaughton for several
minutes. However, their conversation
was interrupted by the realization that I left Jim (the bike mechanic) at the
hotel (oops—I guess I better watch my brake cables). Today, wounded warrior Justin Clark rode over ten miles on a
recumbent tricycle that Alternative Vehicles made. You can read more about Justin’s story on the Road 2 Recovery
Profiles of Courage, but the extent of his mental and physical injuries would
surely eliminate cycling for Justin without Ken’s help. It is people like Ken that make Road 2 Recovery
possible.
I’ll
keep a close eye out for things to share during tomorrow’s 72 mile ride from
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/cycling/2008-05-19-veterans_N.htm
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49945
http://blogs.lancasteronline.com/potholes/2008/05/20/landis-to-ride-with-wounded-vets/
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=54958